Public can learn more about medicine

Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2008

LUBBOCK IS PROUD of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. It is exciting to think about the medical research going on in our city and the training and education the next generation of medical professionals is receiving here and in other campuses.

But even those with a great interest in the HSC often don't understand how quickly gains are being made in medicine. A special insight has been made available through the Texas Tech Community Medical School.

The school is a great opportunity for the public to learn more about medical care and treatment. It is the brainchild of Dr. John Baldwin, president of the TTUHSC, who founded his first community medical school about 10 years ago when he was a dean at Dartmouth.

We were impressed with the concept when Dr. Baldwin brought the idea before the editorial board and are pleased with its success. The school provides a nice service to Lubbock.

Dr. Baldwin told reporter Marlena Hartz he hopes people not only get a better understanding of clinical matters but also learn how research is done and how science is conducted.

For the past three Tuesdays, the school has been in session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with lectures on such subjects as an annual physical examination, cancer and aging. The inaugural semester will conclude May 6 with a discussion of heart surgery.

Plans are under way for the fall semester, which will cover medicine in the 21st Century.

Participants do not have to have medical experience or a specific educational background to qualify for the Community Medical School. It is open to anyone, and the cost is nominal.

All it takes is an interest in medicine, which many people from all backgrounds have. Those who participate in the school will add to their medical knowledge, which Dr. Baldwin noted could help them make informed decisions about their health care and communicate more clearly with their health care providers.

The Community Medical School was a great idea, and Lubbock residents have responded well to it. More than 300 people attended the opening lecture. We hope the school becomes a fixture in Lubbock and continues to increase the medical understanding of participants for many years to come.